Electrical switch



Aug. 1, 1961 G. w. HAMLIN IV 2,994,752

/ ELECTRICAL swrrcn Filed NOV. 6, 1959 INVENTOR.

GEORGE W. HAMLIN II ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 1, 1961 2,994,752 ELECTRICAL SWITCH George W. Hamlin IV, 47 Gibson St., Canand'aigua, N.Y.

Filed Nov. 6, 1959, Ser. No. 851,305 2 Claims. (Cl. 200-98) This invention relates to an electrical switch.

One object of the invention is to provide a compact, versatile, and mechanically simple electrical switch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the character described that is relatively inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide a switch of the character described that is easily adapted to custom installations.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent hereinafter from the specifications and from the recital of the appended claims.

According to my invention, a savitch of the character described includes a pair of electromagnets that are selectively, individually energizable, and that are disposed with confronting, spaced poles. A frame is mounted to extend between the confronting poles, to provide guide means to define a path that extends between the poles. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a cylindrical metallic rod is mounted for rolling movement along this path, for movement toward the one of the two ele'ctromagnets that is energized. A pair or spring members are mounted on each side of each electromagnet, the two springs in each pair being at the same location transversely of the path, respectively, but on opposite sides of it. The two pairs of springs are disposed to receive and retain the rod at two diflferent positions lengthwise of the path. The springs can retain the rod resilient- 1y but release the rod readily when it is attracted by the opposite electromagnet. Preferably, the rod never engages either electromagnetic pole, but is sirnply shifted from one position to the other between the two pairs of springs.

By utilizing the four springs as electrical terminals of the switch, and relying upon the armature rod to complete the circuit between the two springs in a respective pair of springs, ditferent circuits can be completed by shifting the rod from one position to the other.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a switch constructed according to one embodiment of the invention, showing the armature rod in one of its two retained positions, and showing the armature rod in dotted lines at the other of its retained positions, and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a switch constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, showing the armature rod in one of its two retained positions, and showing the armature rod in dotted lines at the other of its retained positions.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing by numerals of reference, denotes a base on which the other components of the switch are mounted. A pair of wooden dowels 12 are secured on the base 10, in mutually spaced, substantially parallel relation. A pair of electromagnets 14, 16, respectively are mounted substantially in axial alignment with each other between the dowels 12, in spaced relation, and with confronting poles 18, 20, respectively. A cylindrical armature rod 22 is mounted on the dowel rods 12, transversely thereof.

A pair of ribbon-like metal springs 24, 26 respectively are mounted on opposite sides of the pole 18 of the electromagnet 14. Each of the two springs 24, 26 is fastened to the base 10 at one end and has a free end that extends generally in parallelism with the dowel rods 12. The free ends of the springs 24, 26 are aligned with each other transversely of the dowel rods 12, and in FIG. 1, the armature rod 22 is shown resiliently retained beneath the free ends of the springs 24, 26. Another pair of ribbon-like metal springs 28, 30 are mounted on the base 10 at opposite sides of the pole 20 of the electromagnet 16. These springs 28, 30 each have one end secured to the base 10, and their free ends confront, respectively, the free ends of the springs 24, 26, and are transversely aligned with each other relative to the dowel rods 12.

The coils of the electromagnets 14, 16 respectively are connected to a voltage source, not shown, for selective individual energization. The four springs are electrically connected to four respective electrical terminals 32, 34, 36 and 38 respectively, to which leads may be attached for electrical connection in circuits as desired.

To use the switch, current is caused to flow through the coil of one of the electromagnets such as, for example, the electromagnet 14. The armature rod 22 is made from a magnetically susceptible material, and is attracted toward the pole 18 oi the electromagnet 14. If the armature rod 22 is not at the position shown in full in FIG. 1, it rolls along the dowel rods 12 toward the pole 13, and engages the springs 24, 26. These springs are pressed by the armature rod 22 out of their normal respective positions, to exert a spring action which retains and restrains the rod 22 against further movement in either direction, and at the same time, insures good electrical contact between the springs 24, 26 and the armature rod 22. This completes a circuit between the springs 24, 26 and the armature rod 22. The electromagnet 14 preferably is then deenergized, but alternatively, it can be continuously energized while the armature rod 22 is in the illustrated position, to augment the holding force of the two springs 24, 26.

To change the switch to its other position, the electromagnet 14, if energized, is deenergized, and the electromagnet 16 is then energized. The armature rod 22 is then attracted toward the pole 20 of the electromagnet 16. It rolls along the dowels 14, disengaging itself from the springs 24, 26, and continues its movement toward the pole 20 until -it is retained and restrained by the springs 28, 30. As the rod 22 disengages the springs 24, 26, the circuit is broken between these springs and the rod; and as the rod 22 engages the springs 28, 30, it completes a circuit between the springs 28, 30, through the armature rod 22.

In the embodiment of the invention that is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2, a pair of horseshoe-shaped magnets 40, 42, respectively are disposed at opposite sides of an armature rod 44, with their poles confronting each other. The rod 44 is mounted to move in a path between the poles of the two electromagnets, and a plurality of pairs of springs 46, 48, etc, are mounted in alignment with each other axially of the rod 44', to restrict movement of the rod 44 between the limit positions. At each of these limit positions, a plurality of the springs engage the rod 44 and resiliently retain and restrain it against further movement.

The foregoing specific illustrated embodiments of the invention are set forth for purposes of illustrating the basic principles of the invention only. Many structural changes can be made, utilizing the basic principles of this invention, that are within the scope of the invention. For example, the armature rod preferably has a circular cross-section, but alternatively, could have a cross-section of some other shape, such as, for example, square. The armature rod preferably, for simplicity of construction, however, is a cylindrical metallic rod. Nevertheless, it is contemplated that the armature rod may be painted, coated, or wound in various places, where specifically desired, with insulating material for particular applications. Moreover, the armature rod may be de signed with any length desired, for electrical contact with any number of springs or brushes desired.

While in the preferred embodiment of the invention the springs may serve to retain and restrain the armature rod against movement, other members may be provided to retain or restrain the armature rod against movement, if desired, while the springs function merely as brushes to establish electrical contact with the rod where desired.

The electromagnets can be simple coils, but it is preferred that iron core electromagnets be employed. Moreover, the Wooden dowels, on which the armature bar rolls, can be replaced by any type of desired framework,

or can be omitted entirely, particularly where the base material, on which the armature bar would then roll, is made of an electrical insulating material.

The switch can be thrown by a momentary pulse of current and will remain in contact without a continuous flow of current. It is useful in a wide variety of applications. It is particularly useful, for example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, for controlling a plurality of electrical outlets. When combined with a step switch, any one of several electrical outlets can be energized selectively.

The switch is not only eifective but versatile. It can be employed as a simple on and 01f switch, or as a double pole-single throw switch; and it can be converted to a single pole-double throw switch. Even though the switch is versatile, it is quite simple in construction. It is particularly useful in conjunction with other switches of the same type, and with a selective switch such as, for example, a step switch, for controlling electrical circuits from a central location. One such application, for example, is the control of a number of electrical appliances from a single remote location in the home.

While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any varitions, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An electrical switch comprising a pair of electromagnets that are energizable individually and selectively and that are disposed to provide a pair of spaced but confronting poles, guide means defining a path and providing a runway that extends between said poles, a rodlike armature that is mounted for movement along said path on said runway between said poles upon energizing of one of said electromagnets, a pair of mechanical spring members mounted in spaced, confronting relation to each other at two different locations along said path, respectively, each of said spring members being mounted to receive, engage, and resiliently to retain said armature at said two different locations along said path respectively, and being sufficiently weak to release said armature upon energization of the other of said electromagnets, and each of said mechanical spring members being disposed to make electrical contact with said armature upon engagement thereof, and a pair of electrical contact members disposed to engage said armature for electrical contact therewith at each of its tworetained positions respectively, whereby an electrical circuit may be completed through the engaged one of said spring members, said armature, and the respective one of said electrical contact members.

2. An electrical switch in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pair of electrical contact members comprise an additional pair of said mechanical spring members and wherein said armature is a generally cylindrical rod that is mounted for rolling movement along said path on said runway.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 645,128 Reed Mar. 13, 1900 803,237 KitSee Oct. 31, 1905 1,085,810 Hoge Feb. 3, 1914 2,238,894 Foster Apr. 22, 1941 2,774,842 Shrader Dec. 18, 1956 2,774,920 Kesselring Dec. 18, 1956 2,919,323 Dresoher Dec. 29, 1959 

